WASHINGTON (AFP) — The Palestinian economy risks implosion from an Israeli crackdown and threatened cuts in foreign aid following the election victory of Hamas, the World Bank warned Thursday.

BAGHDAD (AP) — US forces, joined by Iraqi troops, on Thursday launched the largest airborne assault in nearly three years, targeting insurgent strongholds north of the capital, the military said.The US military said the offensive dubbed Operation Swarmer was aimed at clearing “a suspected insurgent operating area” northeast of Samarra …

TEHRAN (Reuters) — Iran said on Monday it was still interested in a Russian compromise solution to its nuclear dispute with the West, but Russia’s foreign minister said the Iranians were fouling up Moscow’s diplomatic efforts.”We are extremely disappointed with the way Iran is behaving in the course of these …